How do monsoon storms cause water damage?
Monsoon storms cause water damage when heavy rain, often over an inch in under an hour, comes through roofs, windows, doors and low spots faster than drainage can carry it away. The National Weather Service defines Arizona's monsoon season as June 15 through September 30. Storms build fast, and the strong winds that come with them lift roof tiles and push rain sideways into window frames and door thresholds.
Common ways storm water gets inside
- Roof leaks through cracked tile, worn underlayment, flashing and rooftop AC curbs
- Wind-driven rain through window frames, sliding doors and stucco cracks
- Patio and yard flooding when water pools against doors on low-lying lots
- Overflowing gutters and scuppers on flat roofs
- Sewer backups when storm water overwhelms city lines
Our monsoon water damage prevention checklist covers what to check before the season starts.
What we do after a storm
- Assess the water source. Rain through the roof is usually clean. Water that flowed across the ground before coming inside is treated as contaminated.
- Extract standing water from floors and carpet. See emergency water removal.
- Remove contaminated materials. Carpet, pad and drywall touched by outside floodwater are removed and the area is disinfected.
- Dry the attic, walls and floors. Monsoon humidity slows natural drying, so equipment runs until readings reach dry.
- Document everything with photos and daily moisture logs for your insurer and your roofer.
What we don't do
We focus on the inside of your home. We don't repair roofs, stucco, windows or yard drainage, and we don't do storm reconstruction. We work alongside the roofer or contractor you choose and give them our moisture readings so they know what was affected.
Ceiling leaks after a storm
Roof leaks often appear as ceiling stains a day or two after the storm, once attic insulation is soaked. A sagging ceiling can fall, so keep people out of that room. Our ceiling and AC leak page explains how we dry attics and ceilings, and roof leak water damage covers roof leaks in detail.
Insurance after monsoon damage
Insurers draw a hard line between storm damage and flood. Rain that enters through an opening the storm created, such as a wind-damaged roof, is often covered by homeowners insurance. Surface water rising from outside is flood, which standard policies exclude. Our insurance coverage guide explains the difference.